The music was gently humming in the apartment. Astra had made sure to decrease the intensity of the lights, creating a rather cozy and welcoming atmosphere near the dinner table. Autumn was out on a mission; he was supposed to be home in a few minutes. They had texted before he had hit the road. Patiently, Astra poured more wine into his risotto, moving the wooden spoon until he heard the familiar click of the door. The table was dressed, wine and flowers displayed. He had chosen pink roses and lilies, to match his lover’s hair and complexion.
Astra removed his apron before he skirted the kitchen island and made himself visible at the entrance of the living room. He observed Autumn’s features; first to be sure he was alright and safe, then to properly admire the beauty of the man he loved. He stepped forward, and circled the other man’s hips.
“Welcome home.” He whispered and gently kissed the crook of his neck. “Happy birthday, love.” He said before he gripped Autumn’s bag and carefully secured it on the floor. “Dinner is not ready, so you have time for a shower.” He kissed the corner of his lips once more. “But if you wish to skip the appetizers, I don’t mind joining you and make sure that you’re all clean and scrubbed.”
// happy birthday Autumn! Someone is missing you 💛
He had returned home. Finally.
However, there was a hesitation before opening the door. He had already put the keys inside the lock and turned it to come in, but the hum of music and the faint smell of food made Autumn remember how lucky he was to be loved by a man like his—which would always be an overwhelming emotion.
He had to press his forehead briefly onto the door's frame to get his shit together and avoid the silly look of a teenager experiencing summer love for the first time. But, every mask he wore was washed away the moment Astra stopped to simply observe the entirety of his complexion. Autumn knew it was to check he was still standing in one piece.
Fuck. Autumn's heart rose like waves at night, crashing against a cliff when a kiss was deposited on his neck. He held to him and pressed his cheek to his hair, relieved to be home, welcomed by him. It's been years, yet Autumn is still getting used to this sort of care. He's more welcoming of it, but what face is he supposed to have when he had forgotten his own birthday and his lover hadn't?
"Oh, shit, it's my birthday. Right."
Autumn chuckled, driving his hand to Astra's cheek before putting a kiss on his lip. The kiss was meant to be brief, but as soon as their lips touched, Autumn sighed into the kiss, embracing Astra with tenderness and possession.
He kissed Astra's cheek to his heart's content. Probably, it was his way of saying thank you. Autumn had no idea how to reply to a birthday wish. Before Astra, he never had celebrations of any kind; no parties, no gatherings—no balloons, no cake or birthday songs.
But he used to dream of what it could feel like, and not even his imagination could compare to the feelings he was going through.
His favorite part of the emotion was that if Astra hadn't mentioned it was his birthday, Autumn would have thought he had simply decided to pamper him that night. Dim lights, homemade dinners, and table arrangements aren't unusual between them... because both never fail to make each other feel special.
It's like having a birthday every day and a sleepover every night.
"I already showered. You know I'd never bring that grim into our lives." Autumn always used their safe houses to shower before heading home. He was well aware of his lover's phobia of dirty things; therefore, returning home with mud, sweat, and blood was not only disrespectful but perverse.
Autumn couldn't taint their safe haven in such a way. If he began to put Astra's comfort away, then their daily celebrations wouldn't ever be genuine, and his heart wouldn't beat with sweet love. Instead, it'd be beating for power and arrogance.
The truth was their union was the only place where they were powerless. Nevertheless, it made them strong enough to battle against any war.
Autumn smiled. "But I'll skip the appetizers for you to help me choose my fit for the night. I'm really into that high waist Hermès pants. Not the blue ones, the brown ones, remember? The ones I also need assistance with."
Autumn doesn't need assistance with fashion. Ever. But all he wants is an excuse to have Astra's hands all over him.